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As far as we’re concerned, thinking about Thanksgiving plans anytime after Halloween is fair game. Actor Lily Collins seems to agree, as she shared she was prepping “a little early” on Instagram over the weekend. But in the shot, the Emily in Paris star isn’t mocking up her menu or sketching out her seating arrangements. Instead she revealed a photo of herself as a toddler, taking pretend calls and fake washing dishes in her Little Tikes Party Kitchen—a low-tech throwback originally released in 1989 and bound to spark nostalgia for any millennial.
Flash-forward to today, and play kitchens are still a great idea for those of us who need to keep budding chefs entertained while whipping up our own holiday meals. (They also make for a sweet surprise under the tree if you’re looking for this year’s big gift idea.) Luckily these faux food prep stations have come a long way from the chunky molded plastic we grown-ups remember cooking in (though, if you’re a sucker for a vintage find, you can still find the O.G. kitchens on sites like eBay).
Little Tikes now sells an updated version of its classic design at Target that features trendy blue cabinets, a subway tile backsplash, and more than 25 accessories (tongs and salt and pepper shakers included). The best part: It rings in under $100. If your future Michelin-star earner has an eye for details, consider Pottery Barn’s charming scalloped option. The set is crafted from real wood and boasts brass-finished fixtures that will blend in nicely alongside a life-size farmhouse space. Minimalists should look no further than IKEA, which, naturally, sells a Scandi-inspired setup featuring a birchwood frame and slick white cupboards, while mid-century modern admirers will wish they could shrink themselves small enough to get cooking in Crate & Barrel’s curved play set, complete with a chalkboard for daily specials. Truthfully, we wish our real kitchens were as chic as these miniature models.
